The Best Full Art Pokemon Cards, Ranked By Artwork

Updated Sep 6, 2026, 7:49 PM EDT Casey is a writer with a first-class degree in English Literature. Outside of writing, Casey likes a classic RPG and a good book. Throughout the Pokémon TCG’s history, which now spans 30 years of iconic cards, there have been many talented illustrators who have used their skills to depict the Pokémon series’ hundreds of Pokémon. Full art cards allow these illustrators to make the most of their creative abilities, giving them more space to work with by removing the confines of the small image box on base cards. The use of color, the composition of the Pokémon, and the background of the illustration all help to make a card stand out from the rest, culminating in a new interpretation of the Pokémon. While these full art cards might run on the expensive side if you want a specific one, the distinctive artwork makes them worth seeking out. These full art cards have been selected based on how they represent the respective Pokémon, the artistic skill used, and the small details that take the cards to the next level. Updated on September 6, 2026, by Niall Walsh: With the 30th Anniversary set to release over the coming months, we've had an early look at some of the full-art cards coming and see them as more than worthy of a spot on this list. So, without removing any entries, we've slotted two of the 30th Anniversary cards into our rankings; see if you agree with their placement. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - Destined Rivals #231 A Menacing Glare Full art cards that hit you with a shot of nostalgia always score big points, especially when the artwork is a nod to Pokémon's past. Two menacing figures stare out of the card in an intimidating pose that's only exacerbated by the brilliant color choice. Between Giovanni and Mewtwo staring you down, any opponent that has to deal with this card might be intimidated from the artwork alone. The glow around Mewtwo adds an extra layer, showcasing its power with subtlety instead of overt action. This gives the card an illustrative edge, one that cements its place on this list. Clive - Paldean Fates #236 Adorable Chibi Style Art One particularly exciting part of trading card games, especially Pokémon, is just how different the art styles can be. This makes every unique card special. This Clive card showcases the Scarlet and Violet crew in the most adorable fashion. With some staple Pokémon also displayed in an adorable chibi style, the card tells the story of the group from Scarlet and Violet and features them in a brand-new light. It's a great example of how the diverse art in the TCG can be impressive, no matter the art style. Kecleon - Surging Sparks #213 How Many Kecleons Do You See? When you first look at this card, you might think there’s just one Kecleon in the illustration, but when you take a closer look, you’ll find that there are several other Kecleon blending into the background, matching the colors of the flowers and clinging to the branches. Mori Yuu’s illustration contrasts flat colors with texture, creating an eye-catching effect. This approach is perfect for depicting Kecleon’s ability to camouflage itself in its environment and allowing the central Pokémon to stand out. It’s easy to imagine a group of Kecleon behaving like this in the wild. Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex - Prismatic Evolutions #168 The Bloodmoon Rises Once Again… Yano Keiji’s depiction of Bloodmoon Ursaluna, a Pokémon first introduced in Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, captures its fearsome nature. In Keiji’s illustration, Bloodmoon Ursaluna is hunched over and breathing heavily with the backdrop of a blood moon. The Pokémon’s breath is used to add another layer to the illustration, as it spreads across Bloodmoon Ursaluna’s body and pools at its feet like clouds. The composition also makes it seem as though the Pokémon has whipped around at the sound of motion behind it, ready to attack. Hydrapple ex - Stellar Crown #167 Worthy Of A Tapestry Teeziro is one of the most prolific TCG artists, and this Hydrapple ex is one of the best they’ve illustrated. Hydrapple was introduced in Gen 9’s The Indigo Disk and is inspired by both hydras and candied apples. This card of Hydrapple resembles an ancient mural, harkening back to the Pokémon’s mythological inspirations. The Hydrapple is surrounded by Applin, its first evolution, and the entire illustration has a worn effect, as if the mural has existed for years and years. Teeziro’s use of the Pokémon’s inspirations takes this card to the next level and gives us a glimpse into how the Pokémon world records mythology. Houndoom · Shrouded Fable #066 All Bark And All Bite This Houndoom full art card is one of Taiga Kasai’s first cards for the Pokémon TCG after making his debut as a runner-up in 2022’s illustration contest. Houndoom is an intimidating Pokémon, with its Pokédex entry in X describing its howls as being like “the call of the Grim Reaper”, which isn’t difficult to imagine thanks to this card. The card has a largely monotone color scheme except for the stark red glow of the Houndoom’s eye. The silhouettes of other Houndooms help to paint the picture of the Pokémon running in a pack, alluding to the frightening hellhounds they’re based on. Froslass · Twilight Masquerade #174 Cold As Ice Ghost-type Pokémon often have eerie lore associated with them, and Froslass is no exception. Its Pokédex entries say that it’s possible that Froslass may be a woman lost in the snow, reborn as the Pokémon, and that it freezes its prey to display them. Matazo’s full art card definitely evokes Frosslass’ creepy nature. The card shows Froslass slipping into a house on the night of a full moon with a strange look in its eye. The muted color scheme and backdrop Matazo chose make it seem like it’s the dead of the night, and you’ve just woken up to this terrifying sight… Tatsugiri - Twilight Masquerade #186 Anyone Else Suddenly Want Sushi? Osare was the perfect choice for a full art of Tatsugiri thanks to their vibrant and colorful art style with bold black outlines that capture the Pokémon’s signature color palette. Tatsugiri is a different color depending on its form - Curly, Droopy, or Stretchy - all of which are depicted on this card. The pink, yellow, and orange Tatsugiri complement each other well, especially against the bright blue background of the ocean. The white patterns throughout the piece also evoke a pop art style. It’s a fun display of a different kind of art style that you don’t normally see in the Pokémon TCG. Pawmi - Paldean Fates #226 Snoozing Cuties Generation 9’s Pikachu clone, Pawmi, is an Electric mouse (as you would have guessed) with a quiff-like tuft of fur on its head, round yellow cheeks, and adorable shiny eyes, as featured on this card. There’s also a literally shiny Pawmi, just waking up from a nap among its Pawmi family. The shiny Pawmi’s pink fur complements the flowers in the foreground, bringing the piece together. The sunlight dappling through the trees and sparkling against the foliage creates a relaxing scene - oh, to be a Pawmi sleeping in the forest. Grotle - Temporal Forces #164 Off On An Adventure Illustrated by Oswaldo Kato, this card depicts Grotle walking through long grass with a Marill on its back and a Starly and another Marill trailing behind them. As the card says that Grotle leaves the forest to sunbathe, it’s likely that the group of Pokémon is looking for a place in the sun. It’s always charming when Pokémon illustrators showcase friendships between Pokémon in their work, and this card is the perfect example of this. You can just imagine a special episode of the anime following this group of unlikely Pokémon pals.